Anthropological trajectories, tribal behavior, neuroscience and musical fusion are all terms that in the context of contemporary dance can set the ‘naff’ bells a-ringing, but Am I, the latest full length choreographic outing from Sydney-based Shaun Parker and Company, transcends all of that to give us a glorious musical and dance “fanfare for the common man”.

Parker, a regular on the Australian dance scene for a good few years now, sets out to tell us who we are, how we think, what we believe in and why we are special, and does it all in perfect synergy with composer Nick Wales whose eclectic, multiethnic score is a powerful contributor to the evening’s success. In fact, Am I is that rare beast, a genuine collaboration between composer and dance-maker where each builds on and develops the ideas of the other.

Shantala Shivilingappa is a hypnotic presence as storyteller taking us on a journey from the creation of the universe (replete with applause generating visual sunburst) through birth, love, war, belief and death. Seven dancers explore these resonant themes through Parker’s original, engaging and intriguing physical language against a beautifully simple but effective wall of golden flashing bulbs, stunningly lit throughout by Damien...